Undergraduate, bank employees arrested for Internet fraud

The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police has arrested a final year student of Imo State University, Uche Akobundu; two employees of Skye Bank PLC, Nnamdi Dike, Olawale Ogunniran and a bureau de change operator, Sanni Ismaila, for alleged fraud.

Punch Metro learnt that Akobundu, who is the prime suspect, was in the habit of meeting American women on dating websites.

After cajoling the women to fall in love with him, he would promise to marry them and then start collecting money from them through Western Union Money Transfer.

According to the police, Akobundu went by various pseudonyms such as Devon Miles and Martin Williams, which he used to impersonate American men.

The suspect, who claimed to be studying Microbiology, said he posed as an American living in Nigeria.

I worked as a casual worker at Eagle Flour -- Yinka Ayefele

Tungba gospel/juju artiste, Yinka Ayefele, had an opportunity to recall his turbulent past recently. He and other professionals had a mentoring session with a group of secondary school students in Ibadan, Oyo State. The event was organised by the Nigeria Bottling Company Plc.

The youths, who converged on Jogor Centre, Ibadan, had a fun-packed moment listening to several professionals from different disciplines. The programme brought together pupils and young professionals for career counselling, motivation and brainstorming session in a relaxed atmosphere.

On his part, Ayefele told the pupils that he initially planned to be a lawyer but ended up as a broadcaster. Though he is now seen as a successful artiste, he explained that the road to fame was tortuous.

UK cancels controversial £3,000 (about N.75 million) “caution fee” for migrant Nigerians

The United Kingdom has aborted its plan to place a £3,000 (about N.75 million) bond on Nigerians seeking entry to the country, it was reported this morning.

The money, a sort of “caution fee”, has evoked strong reactions by Nigerians since it was announced and was promptly rejected by the country’s lower parliament, the House of Representatives. A spokesman for Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry was this morning quoted by the Abuja newspaper Daily Trust as revealing that the new charge has been withdrawn.

The Sunday Times of London had quoted UK Home Secretary Theresa May as saying that a pilot scheme that would target visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana would take off in November under which travellers from those countries would pay cash deposit of £3,000 to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the money if they overstay their visas.

VIDEO: Monica Lewinsky's Lingerie & Clinton Items Up For Auction

"More than thirty items that federal investigator Kenneth Starr examined while gathering evidence for the impeachment case against former President Bill Clinton went up for auction Monday on the Nate D. Sanders website. Bidding for the items, which include a negligee that allegedly belonged to the White House intern, began at $2,500."

 A black negligee owned by Monica Lewinsky is among many items owned by the former-intern that are going up for auction. Also included in the auction is a note form President Clinton, as well as some other White House regalia, but Lewinsky is NOT the one profitting.

Who is doing this and why?

VIDEO: Nollywood Actress Omotola Ekeinde Made Her USA TV Debut On 'Hit The Floor'

Sexy actress Omotola Ekeinde makes her debut on Hollywood on the TV series "hit the floor" season 1 episode 5.

Check out Omosexy’s stunning look

Actress in critical condition after acid attack in Pakistan

A young Pakistani actress was in critical condition Sunday after a man threw acid on her face while she was sleeping, her brother said.

The alleged attack on 18-year-old Bushra Waiz happened early Saturday at the family home in Nowshera, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Akhtar Waiz told CNN his family was asleep in the courtyard when a man burst in and threw acid on his sister.

Bushra Waiz, who is also known as Shazia Aziz, is a Pashto-language singer, actress and theater artist.

She suffered burns to the right side of her face. Doctors said her right leg, arm and eye were also injured.

Heidi Klum 'in process' of removing ex-husband Seal’s tattoo on Her Arm

It has been said that the only thng that is permanent is change – even tattoo don’t stay for ever.

Heidi Klum is said to be removing tattoo of her ex-husband Seal's name on her right inner arm, which was a commemoration of her previous marriage with Seal. A source told PEOPLE that Klum "is in the process of getting her tattoo removed" as she has moved on with her bodyguard boyfriend Kirsten Martin. "She's been through a few treatments. The stars on her arm with her children's initials will stay intact," the source added.

Stella Damasus denies being pregnant for Daniel Ademinokan

Stella Damasus has debunked reports that she is pregnant for her beau, Daniel Ademinokan; saying is a ‘wonderful gossip’.

AC Milan owner Berlusconi bags 7 years imprisonment

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of charges of corruption and soliciting an underage prostitute.

The 76-year-old was accused of paying for sex with Moroccan girl Karima El Mahroug in 2010, when she was 17, as well as abusing his position in public office for attempting to force her release from police custody over a charge of petty theft. Although prosecutors sought a six-year custodial sentence for the former Italian Premier, a court in Milan issued a seven-year punishment following the guilty verdict in addition to a lifetime ban from politics, pending any appeal from Berlusconi’s solicitors.

However, it could be months or even years before he serves any punishment, with Berlusconi entitled to appeal the verdict twice before it becomes final.

Berlusconi is already embroiled in several legal battles in the Italian courts. In October 2012, he was issued a four-year prison sentence for tax fraud, which has been upheld

Edo State hangs 4 convicted criminals

Four convicted criminals were on Monday executed by hanging in the premises of the Benin City Central Prisons, says Edo Attorney General Henry Idahagbon.The justice commissioner in Edo state confirmed the hanging of the four prisoners, who had been convicted of either armed robbery or murder, he said.

According to the commissioner, all their appeals had been exhausted and their death warrants were signed.

"The court gave the judgement this afternoon that the execution could go ahead and the prison authority went ahead," Henry Idahagbon told AFP.

He added that the executions were carried out by the prison service, a federal agency, and not the state government.

However, he said he was informed by prison authorities of the executions. Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed two of the death warrants since the crimes occurred in Edo, said

Fani-Kayode: Jonathan Will Split Nigeria if He Loses Election in 2015

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Monday said the way the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration was going and the threats from different quarters to destroy Nigeria if the president does not win election in 2015 was a pointer that Jonathan would attempt to split the country if he fails to win 2015 general election based on the way he had succeeded in causing a division in Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF).

Fani-Kayode, who made this known in Minna when he visited the Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu for 'consultation,' said there was a clear indication that should Jonathan lose the election in 2015, he would plot for the division of the country.

The former minister stated that it was obvious that the president was a divide and rule president, adding that if the president was not the mastermind of the NGF crisis, why would he be backing a fraction of the NGF, despite that the faction did not win the election?

"It is only in Nigeria that a loser with the backing of the presidency can declare himself the winner leading to the splitting of NGF. This is a pre-requisite for 2015 when the president is defeated, he will declare himself the same way as it happened in NGF and try to split the country the same way of the NGF," he said.

Arsenal Star Theo Walcott Ties the Knot with Childhood Sweetheart Melanie Slade

The Arsenal star married Melanie at the fairytale ceremony at Castello Di Vincigliata in Tuscany, 9 years after the couple met while Walcott was at Southampton.

Guests were asked not to bring gifts but instead to donate to the Willow Foundation, set up by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and Macmillan Cancer Support after Melanie’s sister Sarah was diagnosed with kidney cancer at 16.

Walcott invited several of his team-mates including Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Vermaelen.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, the proud groom said: 'It's fantastic to be able to finally call Melanie my wife. Now we're excited to see what the future holds for us’.

The full interview is in the new edition of Hello! Magazine which is out now

'I don't think marriage will change our relationship - I hope not anyway, as it was already everything I could have wanted.'

Lagos Bound Train Derails In Kaduna, Injures Four

Four people were reportedly injured on Monday as a train belonging to the Kaduna State Rail Transport System derailed at Kakau village on the outskirt of the state capital.

Spokesman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Abubakar Adamu told newsmen that the injured had been taken to the St. Gerald Hospital in Kakuri Kaduna where they were receiving treatment, but no one died in the accident.

The train service which had provided cheap source of transport in the state capital and environs was introduced during the administration of then Governor Namadi Sambo in 2008.

Man shot dead at Osun PDP meeting

A 25-year-old man Kunle Olagoke was on Sunday shot dead at a factional meeting of a political party believed to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edunabon, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.

It was gathered that he died during a clash of rival factions of the party in the area.

Sources said there had been a leadership tussle between the two factions since last year in Ife North Local Government.

The PDP in the area had been allegedly enmeshed in crisis since the assumption of office of the chairman of the party in the council, Mr. Sam Oyetade.

A leader of the party in the state, who is also a governorship aspirant was not favorably disposed to the emergence of Oyetade as chairman and had made several efforts to get him impeached to no avail.

VIDEO: I don't want to go back to Kenya, I just want my money back – Anthony Chinedu opens up on his deportation

There seems to be no end to Nigerian businessman Anthony Chinedu's saga with the Kenyan Government – the seven Kenyan officials and five-airline crew of a private jet hired to deport Chinedu and others are still be held in Nigeria.

In a recent interview conducted by Larry Madowo of NTV Kenya, Chinedu claimed he was far from being a drug dealer as alleged by the Kenyan Government, that the criminal charges against him were fabricated lies by his estranged wife, Joyce Akinyi.

When asked if he would like to return to Kenya, the businessman who speaks fluent Swahili said “i dont want to go back to Kenya, i just want my money back”

Meanwhile, KandF learnt that in a recent report, Chinedu was quoted saying “We are doing Kenya a favour by marrying their women. I have never heard of a Kenyan man marrying a Nigerian. Without Nigeria’s patronage, Kenyan Airways would fold up”

Check out the exciting interview!

Poly students shut down Ikorodu road in protest

There is heavy traffic on the Ikorodu expressway, Lagos as students of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State are protesting the long strike caused by disagreement between the Federal Government and academic staff of the school.

The students said although their school is located in Ogun State, they decided to protest on Ikorodu Road, Lagos because the road is owned by the Federal Government.

The students, who are over 200, are also calling on students in other higher institutions in Lagos to join their cause.

Photos from the “D’Kings Men (DKM) Live in Concert” Show in Lagos

Koko Master D’banj‘s anticipated “D’Kings Men Live in Concert” show took place on Sunday 23rd June 2013 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, VI, Lagos.

Hosted by comedian AY Makun and media personality Toolz, the event saw American rap star 2 Chainz and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore in attendance. Our African superstars including Fally Ipupa, Naeto C, Olamide and Phyno took to the stage to perform some of their hit tracks.

Check out photos from show

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RIP: Former Hibernians midfielder, Essien Mbong passes away

Former Hibernians midfielder Essien Mbong has passed away in Nigeria; he was aged 37.

His death which occurred on Saturday was announced by his Nigerian friends in Malta.

Mbong was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his successful spell with Hibernians.

Australian mother Taryn Brumfitt gathers international applause for nude post-pregnancy pictures

An Adelaide (capital city of South Australia) mother whose nude post-pregnancy pictures gained international attention says her campaign to tackle negative body image has only just begun.

Taryn Brumfitt, of Cumberland Park, will look to launch body - image workshops in the coming months to help women feel more confident in themselves.

Earlier this year, she posted untouched pictures of herself to show that women should be proud of their bodies.

Within a matter of hours, the pictures went viral, scoring thousands of likes and shares on social media.

The 35-year-old said the international reaction to the pictures was surprising.

"I put it on Facebook and I just watched the numbers just ticking over within just seconds of putting it up," Mrs Brumfitt said.

"It had 3.6 million views and then from there I was on the Today Show, Channel 9 news, and in New Zealand and American (news)."

Kannywood producers suspend star actress, Nafisat Abdullahi, for organising party

The Arewa Film makers Association of Nigeria, AFMAN, said it has suspended popular Kannywood actress, Nafisat Abdullahi, for two years for improper conduct.

The association said Nafisa was suspended for conduct that violates the rules and regulation of the association. It accused her of organising a party, alongside her friends, Fati Washa and Ummi Lollipop, both actresses and colleagues of Nafisa.

A member of the Arewa Film Makers Association, Ismail Afakallahu, revealed that though the three actresses were summoned for questioning, only Fati and Ummi were present. He said Nafisat ignored the summons and did not attend the panel.

Another official of the association, who did not want his name mentioned, said, 

Cousin rapes teenaged girl for 10 months gets her pregnant

A teenager was raped for 10 months allegedly by her cousin in Tambore area of Sitapur, India police said on Monday. The 16-year-old girl was raped by her cousin for 10 months and the family came to know when the minor got pregnant, they said.

The girl accused her 26-year-old cousin after which a case was registered and the victim has been sent for medical examination, police said.

Three NIGERIANS shot dead in Benoni, South Africa

Circa 2009, there were reported cases of Nigerians ‘allegedly’ killing themselves in Johanesbourg Town and Benoni, South Africa – it seems the ugly trend has resurfaced.

Gauteng police are investigating the murder of three Nigerian Nationals in Benoni in a shooting that happened on Saturday evening.

Gauteng police said on Sunday that three men have been killed in a cellular shop in Voortrekker Street, Benoni, on the East Rand.

According to Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini, they were inside the shop when five armed men entered around 6pm on Saturday. The five men opened fire, killing two of the customers, both 38, inside the shop, and the third man, 40, at the shop door.

Afterwards, the gunmen fled in a green BMW.

“The murdered men were Nigerians and their assailants were also believed to be Nigerians,” said Dlamini.

He said the police found spent cartridges at the scene, and a licensed firearm belonging to one of the men who died. Nothing was stolen.

“The motive for the killing is still unknown but a possibility that the victims were a rival group is being investigated,” said Dlamini. - Sapa

FG To Bear Burial Expenses of NANs’ Officials Killed In Auto Crash

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i, said on Sunday in Umuahia that the Federal Government would bear the expenses incurred on the burial of five NANS officials who died in an auto crash.

The officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) lost their lives on June 13 in a road accident on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road.

A statement signed by Mr Aliyu Othman, the Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, said that Rufa'i made the promise when she visited the survivors of the accident at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Rufa'i made cash donations to two of the victims, Uchenna Ogwo and Anumodo Chidibere, who were still receiving treatment at the hospital.

She assured them and their families of the government's support for their full recovery

Rufa'i, who also met with those that had been discharged from the hospital, announced an undisclosed cash donation to them.

The minister was accompanied on the visit by Sir Emeka Ananaba Abia’s Deputy Governor; Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and Prof. Hilary Edeoga, the Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. (NAN)

Man commits suicide inside Ogun stadium

An unidentified man on Sunday committed suicide inside the MKO Abiola International stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The man, whose identity had yet to be ascertained as at press time was said to have hung himself on the tree by the cricket pitch of the stadium.

Our correspondent learnt that the body of the man, suspected to be between 28 and 30 years, was brought down from the tree by policemen from the Ibara Division.

He was confirmed dead by the management of the state Hospital, Ijaye, where he was taken to shortly after he was brought down from the tree.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, stated that neither a suicide note nor any form of identity was found on the man.

JTF arrests 14 suspected crude oil thieves in Delta, others

The Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield has disclosed arrest of 13 persons in Delta and Rivers states over their alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil along the creeks and waters in the Niger Delta region.

According to the JTF, three persons were arrested in Beneth Island of Warri South Local Council of Delta State and the Agbede Forest of Edo State for illegal oil bunkering.   Eleven other suspects were arrested in Kalamabo and Opukula communities in Akuku Toru and Bodo West of Gokana Local Council of Rivers State for their involvement in illegal oil bunkering and fire outbreak on the pipeline owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The JTF, in a statement issued Sunday in Yenagoa by its Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Onyenma Nwachukwu, said some of the arrests were carried out by different formations of the Task Force with operatives lying in the bush for days in the region to trap pipeline vandals.

“The Joint Task Force OPERATION PULO SHIELD deployed in 3 Battalion of Sector 1 of the JTF has arrested three suspects running three illegal oil distillery camps in Opumani Gbekebor, Beneth Island of Warri South Local Council of Delta State and Agbede forest in Edo State. The suspects were arrested during an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation with four metal tanks, 236 drums and 13 pumping machines at the illegal oil distillation sites.